FAST FACTS on BIPOLAR DISORDER - South African …



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FAST FACTS on BIPOLAR DISORDER

• Bipolar Disorder affects up to 1% of the population in South Africa

• Bipolar Disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability in the world

• Bipolar Disorder is not restricted to any social or educational class, race, or nationality

• Bipolar Disorder was previously known as Manic-Depressive illness

• Bipolar Disorder is a physical illness marked by extreme changes in mood, energy, thinking and behaviour

• Bipolar Disorder is typically seen as episodes of deep depression manic highs

• Bipolar Disorder often disrupts work, school, family, and social life

• Men and women are equally affected; however men tend to have more manic episodes while women experience more depressive episodes

• Famous people in the past, like Winston Churchill, Isaac Newton, Abraham Lincoln, Vincent Van Gogh and others were all Bipolar sufferers.

• Bipolar Disorder is believed to be a combination of biochemical, genetic and psychological factors.

• Bipolar disorder typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood and continues throughout life.

• Bipolar Disorder can also affect children, however diagnosis is difficult as many symptoms mimic emotions and other behaviours such as ADHD

• Bipolar Disorder in children significantly impairs functioning in school and at home with the family

• It is not always recognized as an illness, and people who have it may suffer needlessly for years or even decades

• Bipolar Disorder is treatable, and is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness; very effective treatments are available

• South Africa has over 15 Support Groups around the country

• If you suspect you, a family member, or a friend has possible Bipolar Disorder, you should contact SADAG on 0800 70 80 90 for help

Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

The dramatic and rapidly changing mood swings from highs to lows do not follow a set pattern, and depression does not always follow manic phases. A person may also experience the same mood several times before experiencing the opposite mood. Mood swings can happen over a period of weeks, months. The severity of the depressive and manic phases can differ from person to person, and even in the same person at different times.

|Mania (the “highs”) |Depression (the “lows”) |

|• Increased physical and mental activity |Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells |

|and energy, like staying up all night and |• Significant changes in appetite and |

|talking very fast |sleep patterns |

|• Heightened mood, exaggerated |• Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, |

|optimism and self-confidence |anxiety |

|• Excessive irritability, aggressive |• Pessimism, indifference |

|behaviour |• Loss of energy, persistent tiredness |

|• Decreased need for sleep without |• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness |

|experiencing fatigue, such as working |• Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness |

|on the computer for 20 hours straight  |• Inability to take pleasure in former |

|• Grandiose delusions, inflated sense of |Interests |

|self-importance, such as maxing out |• Unexplained aches and pains |

|credit cards |• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide |

|• Racing speech, racing thoughts, flight |Social withdrawal |

|of ideas | |

|• Impulsiveness, poor judgment, | |

|distractibility such as gambling | |

|• Reckless behaviour like having | |

|unprotected sex with strangers | |

|• In the most severe cases, delusions | |

|and hallucinations | |

For any further information on support groups, brochures and referrals please contact The South African Depression and Anxiety Group on

0800 70 80 90 from 8am – 8pm and speak to a counsellor.

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THE SOUTH AFRICAN DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY GROUP

NPO 013-085 Reg. No. 2000/025903/08

P O Box 652548 Benmore 2010

Tel: +27 11 262 6396

Fax: +27 11 262 6350

Zane1@

sadag.co.za

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